My Home Ideas

Special Offers

Be the first to know about This Old House contests, sweepstakes, and events and receive special offers and promotions from your favorite home improvement brands. We'll even send you regular reminders to enter our sweepstakes.

Step 12

Step 13

Step 14

Step 15

Step 16

Step 17

On long runs that require two lengths of molding, an angled scarf joint minimizes the seam between the pieces. For a tight fit, adjust your layout so that the joint will land just past a stud or joist, or on a backing block. Cut the ends of the molding at parallel 30-degree angles. The first piece to be installed should have an open miter with a longer back side and a shorter face, as shown. Position the piece with the open miter on the wall and nail it in place to the framing, but don’t add nails within a few inches of the scarf cut for now. Apply glue to the cut end.

Contribute to This Story Below

More in Molding & Carpentry

Tools List

Close

stud finder

chalk line

miter saw

coping saw

drill/driver

nail gun

hot-glue gun

spring clamps

caulk gun

fine-grit sanding sponge

paintbrush

Shopping List

Close

Primed crown molding. Select a larger profile for the upper run and a smaller one for the lower run. To calculate how much to buy, round the length of each wall to the nearest foot and add the lengths together. Get tips on sizing crown molding to suit your space

Primed fascia board with a decorative profile on one edge.

Primed 1x6 soffit board

2x2 for cleats on the walls and ceiling, to which the half beams will be attached.1x1 for the nailing strip that will help you join the soffit and fascia boards.

2x4 to rip at an angle for making backing blocks for the gable ends of the room.